The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-08
The Manufacturers Insist Upon Having
q Fixed Schedule of Prices Adopted.
The Conference Results in Nothing Definite
State Geologist Thompson Gives Further
Observations Concerning the Gas Field.
HEARING BOTH SIDES.

HEARING BOTH SIDES
The NaturaI-Gas Pipeline Ordinance Dis
cussed Before the Aldermen
the aldermen had conference last night
with Colonel Payne. of the Standard Oil Trust
Two committees of manufacturers were present
and after the Colonel had completed his explana-
tions the committees were heard from. showing
that there is difference of opinion among the
manufacturers to what the ordinance should
contain relative to prices to be charged them
One committee representing the meeting held
two weeks ago Saturday night, considered the
basis offered by Colonel Payne acceptable, but
the other. from the manufacturers interested in
the proposed consolidation scheme OF the In
dianapolis Natura.-gas Company, clung
tenaciousiy to the idea that the ordinance should
fix maximum price for manufacturers In his
talk to the aldermen Colonel Payne detailed the
position his company held in regard to restric-
tions and stated what it would and would not
do This was very much in the line Of what has
been published.
Previous to this Major Calkins stated the
amendments the company desired. They were,
as has been published before, mor, Of technical
character. except in relation to the free supply,
tax and schedule of prices. But as to the
amendments outside of thes, one asked for
shows that the Standard Oil people thoroughly
understand the little weaknesses of men. In
the ordinance as it is there is provision to have
gauges located along the line at the direction Of
the city civil engineer. The company would like
to have the gauges placed at points agreed upon
between it and the engineer. I'VE are not
afraid OF the engineer" said Colonel Payne,
shut il the location of the gauges is to be solely
at his direction there is danger of 1t becoming
oppressive. Many people would want gauges
placed SO they could note the pressure without
much difficulty" The manufacturers COMMITTEES
did not like this arrangement, but would agree
to the ordinance being changed that the city
civil engineer should locate only = reasonable
number Colonel Payne expressed willingness
to meet the committee on that proposition. The
aldermen inquired to the length of time IL
would require to supply the city with gas. One
system of mains, the Colonel has heretofore
stated, can be completed within four months
"We will develop the field fast possible
he continued. I'VE cannot do it all at once, but
we can do enough this year 30 supply one line OF
mains"
He went very thoroughly into the schedule o.
prices he presented to the manufacturers Mon
day night THE whole question of price," ht
said ''rests the supply. We believe there il
1t. We will not be able to get ali Wainwright
wells" This, he illustrated by stating that in
northern Ohio his company had eighteen welll
in a certain section. Four were worthless, four
were fair, and four more had flow of about
four million feet per day. Then again there ID
a wide difference in rock pressure as betwceI
Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. This pressure
depends upon the depth of the wells. Again. IL
the wells were within the city all the gai
could be utilized, but whore it had
to be piped for twenty miles a good
deal of to could come through the pipes on
account of back pressure. "When we come
to drill thirty wells" he continued, who car
tell what they will bea We may get one two
Wainwrights, but these risks the company
sumes. Hence. considering these, when ths
limit of price is fixed on the uncertain cost OF
coal it is possible the company would have to
stop But it is not to be assumed that the COM
pany will charge the limit price"
He thought that the Youngstown prices were
fair for indianapolis. Youngstown is supplied
by wells, forty miles distant, undeI
at first require thirty wells with
only $50 pounds pressure, and it is probable that
in the end gas will have TO be piped a distance
of forty miles to Indianapolis. H said that tbs
Youngstown schedule diferedimmaterially from
that he presented for this city. In the matter
of cook stoves the Indianapolis price was "a. 81
lower than Youngstown
''Why that discrimination in favor of thia
eityl" asked an alderman.
Gentlemen, in the consideration of this ques-
ton, indeed, from the time of my first visit "a
this city have heard frequently from its citi
zens about the poverty of Indianapolis the Col
onel replied.
Shortly after this the manufacturers had ths
attention of the aldermen. The committee
headed by Mr.. Dean was inclined to favor the
position taken by Colonel Payne; but that OF
which E. q. Atkins is chairman had much
longer and less satisfactory statement to make.
Mr.. Atkins was instrumental In getting sub
scriptons from manufacturers last week to
form a company, and it is this project that it is
proposed to identify with the indianapolis
Natural-gas Company on basis of
capital isssk hs sot to pnsa gas us1 to
progress since the meeting last week. Mr.. At
kns said to the aldermen that the manufacture
ers he represented agreed with the Standard
company that the free supply and tax featured
should be eliminated. However. they objected
to a system of charges depending upon contract
unless there was maximum price stated In the
ordinance Mr. Atkins believed that 1t might
occur that the mpany and the manufacturer
could not agree on a rate. In that event, tho
manufacturer would have to do without gas uu.
less there was price at which the company
could be forced to furnish 1t.
Alderman Pritchard asked il the company
ought not to furnish an amount Of free gas to
equalize the additional expense eptaled by ths
city through its engineering force on account OF
this work Mr. Atkins did not think The
manufacturers think he replied. that the city
is sufficient for the company and out of the
taxes the city gets from the people it ought ia
pay for its gas The free supply is wrong in
principle"
Colone. Payne remarked: "When we begin
work it will be done by your home labor. We
will import none except few skilled men. Ths
force required will be four hundred more.
The money paid to these men every Saturday
night will be kept and spent in your city.
1t was his understanding. after the meeting
Monday night the manufacturers were satisfied.
.sThe company will agree" he said, ITO furnish
manufacturers with gas at rs per cent. the cost
of COAL except slack. We furnish the best and
cleanesr fuel in the world 1t saves all labor of
stokers and handlers Of coal While do
this we cannot afford to discount the poorest and
dirtiest fuel in the world.
Mr.. Atkins pressed his desire to have a maxi
mum price fixed for the manufacturers and ut
the close OF the meeting John s. Spann re-
marked, II am utterly surprised to see the DEM
onstration tonight on the part or Mr.. Atkins. |
understood that tho schedule offered by Colonel
Payne would be satisfactory to the manu-